Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Borehole Water Samples in Owerri North – West Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Assessment of the quality of borehole water samples from Federal Housing Estate and Sites and Services areas of Owerri North, Imo State, Nigeria was conducted to determine the suitability of these borehole water samples for human consumption. six samples of borehole water obtained from six different families living in these areas were analyzed for microbial, chemical and physicochemical parameters using standard analytical methods of Association of official Analytical chemists (AOAC). The result of microbial analysis revealed that all the water samples from Chuk’sresidence,Ebe’s residence, Uwuru’s residence,Okre’s residence, Agbu’s residence and Ngwe’s residence referred to as samples D, E, F, G, H, and M respectively had total coliform count of 64.0cfu/100ml, 5.0cfu/100ml, 41.0cfu/100ml, 16.0cfu/100ml, 124.0cfu/100ml and 0.0cfu/100ml respectively. This showed that sample D, F, G, and H exceeded the standard of 10 coliform counts/100ml. The entire samples resulted at 0 counts for Escherichia coli. Samples D, F, G and M tested negative for pseudomonas test, whereas samples E and H did not. The chemical analysis showed that all the samples did not meet up with the recommended standard of pH (6.5-8.5) by World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Drug and Administration Control (NAFDAC).However, there was significant difference (p<0.5) between samples D and E. Samples F, G, J and M were not significantly different (p>0.5)from one another. Sample M was the least significant while sample D was the most significant at pH 4.6 and 6.4 respectively meaning that it is safe for consumption. The temperatures were not significantly different and did not exceed standard limit of 370C. The total dissolved solid also did not exceed the limit of 500ppm as recommended by World Health Organization /United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (WHO/UNICEF) and the conductivity limit was not exceeded. All the samples did not exceed limits for zinc, copper, lead, magnesium, cadmium and iron which are 3mg/l, 1mg/l, 0.01mg/l, 0.02mg/l, 0.03mg/l and 0.3mg/l respectively except for calcium, where samples D, E, G and H were beyond standard of 0.4mg/l. All the samples were significantly different for each parameter except for lead of which the entire sample were all the same. The depth of Sample G borehole was according to the regulatory standard of 150 ft., and from the analysis the entire parameters were within standard except for pH.The study concludes that increase in population in Federal Housing Area and Sites and Services Area in Owerri coupled with the rise in human activity pose a great pressure on provision of safe drinking water